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Sun King Introduces Pay-As-You-Go Smartphone Financing to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital Divide
Sun King, a leading provider of off-grid solar solutions, has expanded its innovative pay-as-you-go (PayGo) payment system to include smartphones. This initiative enables customers to acquire mobile devices from renowned brands without the burden of paying the full price upfront.
Extending Solar Financing Success to Mobile Devices
Building on its successful PayGo model for solar home systems, Sun King now offers flexible installment plans for smartphones from global manufacturers such as Samsung, Tecno, and Infinix. This approach allows consumers to make affordable, incremental payments, making smartphone ownership more accessible across Nigeria.
Addressing the Growing Smartphone Affordability Crisis in Nigeria
With smartphone prices surging due to inflation and currency devaluation, millions of Nigerians-especially low-income families, students, and informal sector workers-are being excluded from the digital economy. According to recent reports, Nigeria’s smartphone market has contracted by 7%, largely because many households prioritize essential needs over costly devices.
Leveraging Nationwide Reach to Enhance Digital Inclusion
Omoyemi Tuga, Sun King’s Vice President for PayGo Sales in West and Central Africa, emphasized the company’s commitment: “For years, we have empowered Nigerian households and businesses to access affordable, sustainable solar energy by removing upfront cost barriers. Now, we are applying the same model to smartphones to help bridge the digital divide.”
Sun King’s extensive distribution network spans all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, utilizing community agents and retail partners to facilitate easy onboarding and device activation immediately after the initial payment.
Company Background and Recent Developments
Established in 2007, Sun King specializes in off-grid solar products tailored for regions with limited electricity access across Africa and Asia. In a strategic move to boost production capacity, the company inaugurated its largest manufacturing facility in Kenya in October 2023. Additionally, Sun King secured $40 million in equity funding in December to accelerate solar system deployment throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Smartphone Options and Customer Experience
The PayGo smartphone portfolio includes popular entry-level and mid-tier models such as the Samsung Galaxy A06, Tecno Pop 10, and Infinix’s Smart and Hot series. Customers can visit Sun King agents or affiliated retail outlets to complete registration and start using their devices after making the first installment.
Empowering Nigerians Through Affordable Connectivity
Sun King highlights that smartphones are essential tools for education, employment, entrepreneurship, and accessing vital services. However, upfront costs have historically prevented many, particularly youth, women, and economically disadvantaged groups, from owning these devices. The company’s financing solution aims to dismantle this barrier and foster greater digital participation.
Competitive Landscape and Market Context
Sun King’s entry into smartphone financing places it alongside established players like Kenya-based M-KOPA, which has long utilized PayGo models to distribute smartphones and other electronics across Africa, including Nigeria. Local firms such as CD Care also provide installment-based device financing and after-sales support, targeting consumers unable to afford lump-sum payments.
Transparency and Future Outlook
While Sun King has not yet revealed specific terms of its smartphone PayGo plans-such as interest rates, repayment periods, or default policies-the company’s move signals a growing trend toward flexible financing solutions that enhance digital inclusion in emerging markets.
